What We Thought: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

The evening’s discussion of Rules of Civility by Amor Towles was highlighted with a lovely assortment of refreshments tied to the theme of 1930s-era entertaining. Members served themselves from an overflowing bowl of non-alcoholic mint green punch reminiscent of gin drinks which the characters drank liberally throughout the book. Cookies and bar nuts accompanied drinks and put everyone in a jolly mood.

 

After much discussion it was decided that the book more or less accurately presented the time period of the 1930s and the effects of the Great Depression on different levels of social classes. Choices made by the characters and results affecting them were a major theme. The choices varied depending on the circumstances and morality of characters and determined the courses of their lives. Some choices were well-considered, especially by Katie who enjoyed a contented and successful life. Others, like Tinker, learned the hard way what can happen when choice is made without conscience. Eve, the character with the most spunk, was adventurous and spontaneous. She was admired by most, but not a model of propriety for anybody.

 

Some lives and careers were cut short by ill-considered and quickly made decisions. Did Eve ever contact her parents after leaving New York for home? We decided that the author left it unknown so readers would think about it.

 

The author has written a sequel, a novella about Eve (Eve in Hollywood) after her character leaves the story, but no one was very interested. One member commented that she thought of Eve as Jean Harlow. Members were reminded of their own youthful adventures and contrasted them with the wild and carefree antics of those in the story. All of the members enjoyed hearing about high times at dances and nightclubs on and off the Cape. When asked who would recommend this book to a friend, all raised their hands. 

Favorite Quotes

“In our twenties, when there is still so much time ahead of us, time that seems ample for a hundred indecisions, for a hundred visions and revisions -- we draw a card, and we must decide right then and there whether to keep that card and discard the next, or discard the first card and keep the second. And before we know it, the deck has been played out and the decisions we have just made will shape our lives for decades to come.”

“How rich does one have to be to buy a very handsome man?”

From Rules of Civility by George Washington: “Never bring a fork to your mouth when you have a knife in your hand.”